The Take 500 days on, how Hamas survived Israel’s war on Gaza
Feb 17, 2025
In this discussion, Khaled Al-Hroub, a Professor of Middle Eastern politics at Northwestern University in Qatar and author on Hamas, sheds light on the group's unexpected resilience after 500 days of conflict. He explores how Hamas has managed to maintain control and service delivery in Gaza despite significant losses. The conversation addresses ongoing ceasefire negotiations and the complex responses from Palestinians regarding governance and peace proposals. Al-Hroub's insights reveal the intricate dynamics of Hamas’ sustained presence and its impact on the future of Gaza.
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Hamas Remains Gaza’s De Facto Authority
- Despite heavy losses, Hamas remains the primary governing authority in Gaza and people still turn to its institutions for services and complaints.
- Khaled Al-Hroub argues this persistence shows Israel failed at its stated objective to destroy Hamas.
Administrative Reach Persists Amid Destruction
- Hamas retains administrative control over policing, aid distribution, civil records and basic social functions across Gaza despite extensive destruction.
- Al-Hroub emphasizes their long governance experience since 2007 enables that continuing role.
Prisoner Releases Signal Operational Control
- Keeping captives alive and organizing staged releases demonstrated Hamas's operational depth and control over Gaza.
- Al-Hroub says this display countered expectations that their fighters would appear defeated or disorganized.
